Checklists from space missions are said to be highly collectable items because they flew in space and were so vital to the astronauts.

Cassandra Hatton, of auctioneers Bonhams which is selling the item, said: "The Gemini IV mission was the first time man walked in space and it was a huge step in the development of the space programme.

"We knew we could get into space but until this point we didn't know if we could walk and float around out there.

"Jim McDivitt and Ed White's achievement is second only to landing on the Moon.

"The checklist was vital for making sure things didn't go wrong they didn't get sucked out into space.

"They would have had their gloves on while trying to close the hatch and once inside they were able to take the gloves off and obviously touched the checklist while still bleeding.